Healthcare workers, especially those with direct patient contact are amongst professions with the highest rate of workrelated
musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs), physical therapists (PTs) being one of them. Our objective was to review current
knowledge relating to the prevalence, risk factors and prevention of WMSDs among PTs. Pubmed, Google Scholar and
PEDro databases were searched for terms relating to WMSDs in PTs from inception to 2015. The prevalence of WMSDs
among PTs was high, with lifetime prevalence reported as 55–91%, and 12-month prevalence ranges 40–91.3%, and
the lower back as the most frequently affected, with estimates of a lifetime prevalence ranging 26–79.6%, and a 12-month
prevalence ranging 22–73.1%, followed most often by the neck, upper back and shoulders. The major risk factors for workrelated
low back pain (LBP) were: lifting, transferring, repetitive movements, awkward and static postures, physical load,
treating a large number of patients in a single day and working while injured. Low back pain seems to be age- and genderrelated
with a higher prevalence in females, younger PTs and PTs working in rehabilitation settings. Physical therapists, as
a consequence of work-related LBP, may seek treatment, modify their daily living and leisure (lifestyle) activities, use aids
and equipment or change their specialty area either within the profession or by leaving it. Skills and knowledge as to correct
body mechanics do not prevent work-related injuries. Mechanical aids used for a patient transfer should be adopted
by PTs and new strategies should be developed to reduce their WMSDs without compromising the quality of treatment.
Int J Occup Med Environ Health 2016;29(5):735–747